Derry City 1-1 Shamrock Rovers

Report: Ryan McMullen

A late Graham Burke strike from the spot secured the Hoops a huge point on the road in Derry.

Ahead of the trip North, Stephen Bradley opted to keep the same starting 11 from the side that started the Dublin derby victory over Bohemians 2 weeks ago.

The opening minutes were fairly cagey, with both sides failing to create any clear-cut opportunities aside from a Graham Burke shot for Rovers that fell straight into the hands of Derry goalkeeper Brian Maher.

On the half-hour mark, the best chance of the game came for the Hoops as a Rory Gaffney effort was crucially cleared off the goal line from the Derry rearguard.

Following the chance the hosts started to pile on the pressure but Rovers managed to defend well and keep the score line level.

The two teams were going in at the break level and would both be going out in the second half trying to find the breakthrough.

It was the home side who found the game’s opener just past the hour mark as Cameron Mc Jannet found himself unmarked to head home from a corner to give the hosts the lead.

Following the concession, Rovers controlled most of the ball as they pushed to try and find an equaliser.

6 minutes from time, Rovers were awarded a penalty as Graham Burke was taken down in the box by Shane McEleney who was given a straight red card from referee Paul McLaughlin for the challenge.

Burke stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake as he struck the ball past Brian Maher to level the scores.

Despite some pressure from Rovers late on, Derry managed to see out the game and it was a point apiece for the two sides in the Brandywell.

The Hoops squad and management went over to salute the 450 travelling Hoops supporters who made the trip, satisfied to be heading home with a precious point on the board.

Next up for Rovers is a trip to the UCD Bowl next Friday (22nd of September), with kick-off set for 7:45 pm in Belfield.

Derry City: Maher, Boyce, Duffy, Patching (Connolly 86’), Mc Mullan (Coll 86’), Doherty (B Kavanagh 90’), Diallo (Dummigan 71’), McEleney, McJannett ©, Mullen (C Kavanagh 71’), O’Reilly.

Derry City unused substitutes: Ryan, McGonigle, McEneff, Todd.

Shamrock Rovers: Mannus, Lopes, Grace, Cleary, Finn © (Farrugia 46’), Burke, Kavanagh (Clarke 46’), O’Neill, Towell (Burt 69’), Poom (Watts 80’), Gaffney.

Shamrock Rovers unused substitutes: Pohls, Hoare, Greene, Power, Nugent.